For now, it appears that the Council of Bishops is focusing its unity discussions on the “contextualization” version of three models submitted to it by the Commission on a Way Forward: remove language declaring homosexual practice “incompatible” with Christian teaching from the Book of Discipline.

The other two options – an “accountability” model that would retain the “incompatible” language and strengthen enforcement for violations, and the creation of theologically diverse branches under a single authority – hadn’t been discussed in detail through the afternoon of Feb. 27, according to retired Bishop William B. Lewis.

The Council of Bishops met behind closed doors Feb. 25-28 in Dallas to discuss the Way Forward models in preparation for deciding in May which version to forward for the 2019 General Conference. The deadline to submit legislation is July 8.